Methane clathrate (CH4•5.75H2O), also called
methane hydrate, is a solid clathrate compound in which a large amount of
methane is trapped within a crystal structure of water, forming a solid similar
to ice. Latest research has confirmed, significant deposits of methane
clathrate have been foundunder
the sea bed.

The
biggest hindrance in the exploitation of gas hydrates had been the expansion
factor. One cubic foot of gas hydrates in subsurface yields 160 cubic feet of
gas at the surface. So while drilling, as the well enters the hydrate bed, the
overlying rock pressure is removed. The ice immediately liquefies to release
methane which is extremely difficult to control because of the expansion
factor, an operational hazard. Exploitation of the hydrates has been a
hazardous and expensive venture.

During
the near past Japan’s rising energy bill by a sharp increase in the country’s
fossil fuel imports has weighed heavily on its economy after the Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear crisis, which has all but halted Japan’s nuclear energy program.
Japan started work on the project of exploration of seabed methane and his
researchers have succeeded to overcome all the problems and told on 12th
March, 2013 (Tuesday) that they have extracted methane gas from offshore
deposits of methane hydrate. Japan’s experiment proves to be a real
breakthrough, and then the energy problem would be solved for a long time to
come. They have estimated 5 years for its commercial utilization.

It
is added here that presence of seabed methane along offshore Makran in Pakistan
has been discovered, having enormous potential, much larger than the gas
Pakistan have found onshore. These deposits can be explored and utilized for
the energy requirements of Pakistan for the benefit of its people.